Fact Check: Robert F. Kennedy met with the CIA as a voluntary informant following a 1955 tour of the Soviet Union.

Fact Check: "Robert F. Kennedy met with the CIA as a voluntary informant following a 1955 tour of the Soviet Union."

What We Know

Recently declassified documents from the CIA confirm that Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) met with the agency after his 1955 tour of the Soviet Union. According to these documents, RFK relayed his observations to the CIA as a voluntary informant. The release included nearly 1,500 pages of previously classified material, which detailed not only RFK's interactions with the CIA but also the agency's investigations into his assassination in 1968 (AP News, McCall, KRCG TV).

The documents indicate that RFK's observations were particularly valued during a time of heightened tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Prominent figures who visited the USSR were often solicited for their insights upon returning, reflecting the geopolitical climate of the era (CTV News, Washington Times).

Analysis

The claim that RFK acted as a voluntary informant for the CIA after his trip to the Soviet Union is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The CIA's release of documents has been widely reported across various reputable news outlets, including the Associated Press, which is known for its rigorous journalistic standards. These documents explicitly state that RFK provided detailed accounts of his experiences in the Soviet Union, which the CIA deemed valuable for understanding the socio-political landscape of the time (AP News, CBS19).

The credibility of the sources is high, as they are based on official CIA documents and corroborated by multiple independent news organizations. The context provided by the documents also aligns with historical accounts of RFK's political activities and the U.S. government's interest in firsthand accounts from individuals who traveled to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Conclusion

The claim that Robert F. Kennedy met with the CIA as a voluntary informant following his 1955 tour of the Soviet Union is True. The evidence from declassified CIA documents and corroborating reports from reputable news sources clearly supports this assertion.

Sources

1. RFK met with CIA after trip to Soviet Union, declassified ...
2. RFK met with CIA after trip to Soviet Union, declassified ...
3. Robert F. Kennedy met with CIA after a trip to Soviet Union ...
4. RFK met with CIA after Soviet Union trip, files show
5. Robert F. Kennedy met with the CIA after a trip to the Soviet ...
6. Robert F. Kennedy met with CIA after trip to the Soviet ...
7. Robert F. Kennedy met with CIA after a trip to the Soviet ...
8. CIA releases previously classified documents on 1968 RFK ...